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Scenic Overlooks in the Los Alamos Area

Spectacular scenery during all seasons ... and great photo points

Difficulty: Easy

Length: 66.7 miles

Duration: Half day

Family Friendly

Overview :
This is a scenic drive that you won't soon forget through canyons, over mesas, up mountains, and traversing canyon rims that will give... more » you unparalleled views of Northern New Mexico. Drive all or part of the loop. All of the loop is on paved highways and roads. less «

Tips:
Caution ... please check in at the Visitor Center for local road and weather conditions, particularly in the winter months. Only stop... more » at established pull-offs and use caution when close out of your car close to roadways and close to steep drop-offs. Normal National Park Service fee and pass requirements apply at Bandelier National Monument. less «

Points of Interest

A great place to start ... free maps, local road advisory, friendly advice ... open 7 days per week

2. Los Alamos Underlook

Great view East down Los Alamos Canyon to the iconic Omega Bridge high above

3. Los Alamos Townsite Overlook

Panoramic overlook of the Los Alamos townsite and the Los Alamos National Laboratory

4. Eyes on the Road .. Hands on the Wheel!

This view is not for the driver, and there is no safe place to stop, but passengers will have a treat lokking down the cliff to the the East over Burnt Mesa and Bandelier National Monument. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains make a spectacular backdrop to the East. You are now on the Jemez (pronounced "hay-mez") Mountain Trail National Scenic Byway.

5. Valle Grande Overlooks

A series of safe pullovers along the highway provide expansive views of the Valle Grande, a massive, collapsed volcano that formed much of the geology and geography of the area. The Valle Grande is part of the Valles Caldera National Preserve, a national treasure trove of geologic, archaeological, and natural resources. It is common to see large... More elk herds grazing in the distance at these pullovers. The Jemez Mountain National Scenic Byway goes on for many miles to the West, but we'll turn around here to complete our circuit of scenic overviews.Less

This overlook, within Bandelier National Monument on the road to the visitor center offers a safe place to observe the deep cut of Frijoles Canyon to the West.

7. Safety First!

There is no place to stop along this stretch of road, but you can't miss the impressive views in either direction.

8. Bandelier Visitor Center and Turnaround

You can easily spend a day or more here, but if you want to stick with the scenic overlook route this will just be a safe place to loop back. Look for our other guides to activities in Bandelier National Monument.

9. White Rock Tourist Information Center

The community of White Rock is the Eastern terminus of the Jemez Mountain National Scenic Byway and it offers hotel, dining, supplies, and refueling opportunities. The tourist information center is a great stop for area information and advice and a restroom break if needed. Open seven days year round. 800-444-0707

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